Abram Mongoya credits experience for Kruger United's Betway Premiership promotion push

Mongoya's team have been excellent with just four losses all season in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

Their form has propelled them to first place on the league standings with 55 points from 27 games - eight clear of second-placed Milford and fellow promotion chasers Hungry Lions, Cape Town City and Casric Stars, with three games to play.

Kruger need just two points for automatic promotion to the Betway Premiership, following a 3-0 thrashing of Baroka that relegated the former top-flight side.

The likes of Celimpilo Ngema, Khethukuthula Ndlovu, Ntsikelelo Nxadi, Wandisile Letlabika, Ntsako Makhubela and Sipho Sibiya have all been key players for Kruger this season.

"Having experienced players like we have is very important at this stage of the season," said Mongoya in the Sowetan.

"You need them more than ever now because the youngsters get too excited when things are like this and they lose their heads.

"The senior players have played a critical role; your Ngemas and your Ndlovus have carried the team. Even those who are not playing, they have been playing a big role in the dressing room, pushing the young ones."

"It’s been a tough journey but nice at the same time," the coach added.

"We needed to restructure the team. I have one of the best technical teams in the division; they’re very hard-working. That has been the difference. [Our impending promotion] is mainly because of the hard work everyone has put in."

Kruger are next in action against 15th placed Black Leopards at home on Saturday.